Foodie frenzy
Austin chefs sweep 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards announcement with 6 nominations
On Tuesday, the highly anticipated James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalists for 2013 were released, further solidifying Austin's place in the national culinary spotlight.
The 2013 Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists list includes five Austin chefs, ranging from young up-and-comers to seasoned chefs of Austin's growing food scene, nominated across a variety of categories.
Uchi, La Condesa, Barley Swine and Trace are nominated for these prestigious awards, widely recognized as the highest honor for food and beverage professionals in North America.
Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi (Austin and Houston) is nominated for Outstanding Chef, on the heels of being selected by Bon Appetit as one of America's most influential restaurants. Up-and-comers Janina O'Leary, executive pastry chef of Trace, and Bryce Gilmore, chef of Barley Swine, are semifinalists for Rising Star Chef of the Year.
Gilmore is also nominated alongside Rene Ortiz of La Condesa in the Best Chef: Southwest category. La Condesa secures a final nomination with Laura Sawicki, a semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef.
The awards are presented each spring at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. "Nominees and winners are fêted at a weekend of events in New York City that has become the social and gastronomic highlight of the year," the website states.
The 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards take place in New York City on May 3 and May 6.